“He Is Able To Deliver”
Daniel 3
Sermon Series: “He Is Able”
Introduction: Sometimes we just have to draw a line in the sand and decide which direction that we are going to take. Today is one of those days. Although it is a popular approach, this is not really the day or age for straddling the fence. Joshua said, “And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). Elijah said to the children of Israel, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow Him” (1 Kings 18:21). Today, we need to decide if we are going to stand with conviction or bow with compromise.
1. There will be trials and opposition for those who are living for Jesus (v. 1-15). Following Jesus makes our life more challenging in some ways. This is not a maybe kind of thing, but a definite reality (see 2 Corinthians 1:8, 4:8-9; 2 Timothy 1:8, 3:12).
2. God is able to deliver, but whether He does or not, we have to decide if we are going to stand with conviction or bow with compromise (v. 16-18). This is what it all boils down to. God is able, but He does not promise to always deliver us in this life (Acts 12) or it can take a long time (the life of Joseph). It is about having the conviction to do what is right whatever.
3. We stand with conviction by obeying God (v. 17-24).
4. Here are some truths that produce the conviction to stand: A. The Word of God (Exodus 20:1-6).
B. Thereareconsequenceseitherway.
C. Jesus is with us in the midst of the trial (v. 25).
D. Our stand becomes a witness (v. 26-30).
